Thoughts on a Tuesday | Second Shooting

i’ve had a bunch of emails lately from start-up photographers asking where do they start. you’ve asked what my best advice would be for learning, shooting, seeing the industry first hand. my response – SECOND SHOOT. i’m pretty open with my start-up story among friends and clients. i never knew i wanted to be a photographer until after college. i was always an artist and dabbled in a bunch of different mediums but photography is the one i clung to for dear life once i owned my first DSLR the summer after college graduation. from there, it flourished. but not without first-hand experience, humbling myself, learning from mentors, asking tons of questions, and diggin in with everything i had in me. i majored in technical communications in college, taking part in a lot of writing, marketing, web design, and digital communication classes. if i could do it all again, i still wouldn’t change a thing because that background has proven its value ten-fold. i use my acquired skillset and education every day.
my skillset and education in photography came largely from second shooting. i was asked by my mentors and professional peers to come alongside them for wedding days and second shoot with them. i soon realized that second shooting is the bomb dot com. i adore it. there’s so much to learn from another artist that is getting out there and doing it – pursuing the craft you want to get after too. second shooting is baptism by fire. you gain experience by seeing how real pros interact with real clients. and you get to do it too. i think that second shooting (if you get a paid gig), is like getting paid to take a class. and what’s better than that when you’re first starting out?!

as a second shooter for the first year and a half of my photographer life, i learned the following:

• make sure you check in often with your primary just to make sure you are on the same page- before, during, and after the wedding day or other event. be sure ya’ll are on the same page when it comes to every little bit of expectation. this includes guidelines on what you can and cannot do with your photos later. i’ve had experiences with brilliant photographers on both sides of the spectrum. some photographers let me blog the images. some photographers would not. better to ask and be up front than beg for forgiveness when you stepped out of their bounds later!

• second shooting is very humbling. while you may be completely excited about building a portfolio, it temporarily must be put on hold. you are there to be a second pair of eyes and hands for the primary photographer. it’s not a place for your ego or setting your needs before your primary’s. if you fail to remember this, your experience won’t be as beneficial to you or your primary as it could be.

• put in the effort to not be in the photographer’s shot when he/she is shooting. sometimes this means you have to bite your lip and give up the opportunity to simply not shoot a million dollar moment if it means you’ll be in the way. instead, observe how he/she is approaching the moment. how are they posing the couple? how are they interacting with the bridal party? what can you learn from their composition and approach?

• sometimes the job ain’t glamorous. sometimes timing can be crazy and you’re asked to go shoot the outside of the church instead of the bride putting on her dress. go with the flow. those outside-of-the-church shots will be just ask key in providing a full portfolio to the couple as the getting-ready shots.

• aim to be a helpful hand, not a burden. bring your own water, energy drinks, etc. that you may need during the day. while being a second pair of creative eyes for the primary, remember to stay cool, calm, and collected, even when your primary may not be.

• if you’ve been asked to second shoot for a photographer, you were probably viewed as being similar to their style. second shooters are brought on to be an extension of a photographer’s brand. conduct yourself in a way that fits with your photographer’s style. leave your business cards at home and carry a stack of your primary’s cards instead. ask how you should dress and aim to exceed expectations in approachability, helpfulness, and service.

*a couple of images from a phenomenal second shooting experience last summer with the one and only, jaime windon.

i continue to learn so much as i have now brought on second shooters for my own weddings in the past year. here’s a few tips:

• it’s important to take great care in selecting second photographers that complement your style and professional personality. i am constantly keeping an eye out for styles i admire, peers in search of a learning opportunity, and personalities that i’d enjoy working with. find those for you!

• be very clear on your expectations. email your second shooter the week before with any last minute itineraries, questions, needs, etc. be up front with what gear you want them to use while shooting and how they can use the photos after. it’s entirely up to you how you want to hire a contractor and under what conditions, but clear communication – sometimes overcommunication – is imperative.

• i hate being miss bossy pants. however, i’ve learned that i cannot be afraid to tell my seconds where and when i want them to be shooting. during the wedding day, there’s things i need captured at the same time and try as i may, i just can’t be in two places at once.

• respect your second. they’re not just there to be a pack mule. recognize what they can bring to the table in terms of a competitive eye, creative fuel when you’re low, and an artist producing images for your client. treat them when you can (late night frosties or big macs on the ride home), let them take the reins when you can, ask for opinions and creative views whenever possible.

• most of all, just have fun with your second! provide a dynamic mentorship opportunity and build a relationship. wedding day craziness can provide a lot of opportunities to bond. so get after it and keep each other going when that delirium sets in sometime in the middle of the dancing and you hear that cupid shuffle.

again, these are just some lessons learned from my experiences. feel free to chime in and add your own tips and tricks. i’d love to hear from you!